History gets a hard-hitting reboot this month as Henry, a bold new play by Isle of Wight writer Joe Plumb, reimagines the notorious Tudor monarch in the unlikely setting of a present-day pub.
Far from the throne rooms of the 16th century, Henry places its infamous lead character in a world of beer taps and bar stools—where his thirst for power, control, and an heir plays out in strikingly contemporary terms.
Plumb, known for his sharp and provocative reinterpretations of classic stories—Ryde Boy, Frankenstein: The Creation of a Monster, Re:Tell, and UBU: King of the Isle of Wight—continues his mission to fuse historical narratives with modern relevance.
Henry VIII as you’ve never seen him before
Joe says,
“This is Henry VIII as you’ve never seen him before.
“He’s not wearing a crown or sitting on a throne—he’s propping up the bar, trying to hold onto his empire in a world that’s closing in.
It’s about power, control, legacy—and how toxic masculinity doesn’t belong to the past. It’s alive and kicking. I wanted to take off the rose-tinted glasses of history and explore the traumatic story of Henry VIII through a modern lens.”
Henry tackles urgent and uncomfortable themes: male entitlement, violence, child loss, and the emotional wreckage left in the wake of unchecked authority. Visceral and unflinching, the production offers a deeply human portrait of a man spiralling under the weight of his own myth.
Staged at Department
The production is staged at Department, Ryde’s dynamic new arts venue, and features a large ensemble cast. Joe Plumb plays the title role, joined by Holly Downer (Kath), Fizz Lewis-Marlton (Annie), Meg West (Bess), and Amy Birch (Jane).
The ensemble includes Ralph Edermaniger, Holly Gardiner, Fiona Gwinnett, Ruby Beaman, Mitch Hamer, Ashley Hetherington, Garry Smith, and Ellie Warne.
The production is co-directed by Chloe Gwinnett and Ashley Hetherington.
Please note: The production contains strong language and scenes that some audiences may find distressing.
Performance dates
Henry takes place at Department, Ryde on 22nd and 23rd May, then 5th, 6th, 12th and 13th June. All performances begin at 8pm.
Tickets are priced at £15 each, or £10 for 25 and under.
Book now via Department’s website.
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